paramteric programming for a fresnel lens

[roger_e]

We have the formulas to get output from a fresnel integral....we can even get that data on a spread sheet.

How to write a program to take the data..better yet the formula inputs and turn it into G-Code

Thanks

[andy55]

will you be making the lens on a lathe or on a mill?
what material?

does your output geometry look something like this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fresnel_lens.svg

[mmmilligan]

I recall producing an Application for a UK client, a good few years back, which
did exactly this.
Basically the method was :-

CAD Module
Using VB script a macro was produced which produced the Curve based
the equation and some other Parameters such as Included Angle+radius.
The VB script would then calculate a series of points which lie on the
curve.
The VB script would then submit these points to the CAD Curve Fitting
routine which would produce a Tangential (Convex or Concave) curve
which then be passed to the CAM Turning module.
CAM Turning Module
The CAM turning module would then be used to produce a toolpath.



This was a few years ago and since then the CAD module has aquired a Template system which could be employed and the CAD + CAM modules are available as Servers using microsoft auto technology.
These new features make it possible to develope a fully automated Bespoke
application which take the initial parameters and produce a dimensioned
drawing and G code file witht he Dolphin modules being used as background servers invisible to the user.

michael
Dolphin CAD CAM systems Ltd

[norbert.barnard]

if you can make the calculations in a xls spreadsheet, then you can also recreate these formula's in macro B (i can only speak about fanuc cnc's), no special software requiered.
the calculation will save the point data in a sequential variable range, start & end number decided by you.
then write a normal cnc part program that will call this variable-range in sequence to produce the shape calculated.
the variable range is called by using a loop that index the variable number, making the program very short.

[sinha_nsit]

Post the drawing and formulae for specific suggestions.